Ancient History

[sotor]

Ok here goes, whilst searching thru some old pics a few days ago I came across yours truly in a S2a LW driving across Rannock Moor on General Wades road. If memory serves me correct (i'm going back to 1973) this road loosely follows the railway. However when I made enquieries at the time I was told that these roads were illegal to drive because they were on NT property.Ok so I left them alone. I now pick up a Sept 2004 LROI mag (i'm a slow reader) and on p44 is an article about driving the Corrieyairack Pass (one of Gen Wades roads I believe). What gives here, No I'm not going to come over the border and desicrate your RoW, I just wanna know what the crack is.

[Ye110w]

As far as I am aware, the Corrieyairak Pass is the only "off road" right of way in Scotland, going from Laggan (OS Sheet 35 NN615944) ending near Fort Augustus (OS Sheet 34 NH373072). It was built by General Wade during the summer of 1731, climbing to 764m above sea level. One of the main features are the 13 zig zags climbing to the highest point on the pass.

Access to it is a bit contravertial, as it is a Scheduled Aincient Monument, and as such it is illegal to damage it in any way. However, the track is used by the Electricity company for access maintain the pylons that follow the route of the pass.

The road is tarmac from Laggan to the bridge just before the farm buildings at Melgarve (OS Sheet 34 NN468961). From here on is is a very rough track to the pass (OS Sheet 34 NN425985) and from there it is a Land Rover track. There are several sections of the original road still visible (I think I might even have a picture of one, if you are that interested!), and are facinating as they show how the road would have been constructed.

I cycled it a couple of years ago, and it is a very spectacular route. I had to push the bike over several sections before the zig zags, and all the way up the zig zags (far too steep and rough).

Clubs do organise trips over it, and I think that there are guidelines laid out regarding access. A couple of guys from SORC did it last year, link below, and found the far end of the track at Fort Augustus to be blocked!

http://www.sorc.org.uk/sorc/outings/jpcorrie/page1.htm

There are many other General Wade roads around the Highlands, the one you mention at Rannoch will be one of them, and as you said, without any right of vehiclular access. Rannoch Moor will be about 30 - 40 miles south of Corrieyairack Pass.

Hope this helps!
Cheers.

[Ye110w]

Found pics.

Cheers.

[Hubber]

Have not been there myself however i ken a few people who over the years have had a go and enjoyed it.
I also know there a little bother at times as in is it legal or not.

[rod at aberdeen]

Hi folks.


Think the BORDC are driving the Corry pass sometime this year.

Cheers.

Rod.

[Hubber]

Hi folks.


Think the BORDC are driving the Corry pass sometime this year.

Cheers.

Rod.

Cool :D :D

[sotor]

Thanks for the info chaps, very helpfull. The pics a great, but the one of the bridge, looks like everyone drives around it going by the ruts, does this mean that the structures are unsafe, or just playing safe.

[jaz]

Hi all

Jarrad from Nortrak here, Jamesetta, Katie and myself and others from BORDC joined Highland Club to drive the pass last year. In relation to the bridge you mention there are now two one alot safer than the original so no problems there. Here are some pics

[sotor]

I just gotta do this lane.

[Ye110w]

Hi folks.


Think the BORDC are driving the Corry pass sometime this year.

Cheers.

Rod.

'scuse my ignorance, but what does BORDC stand for?

Good pics Jarrad. Any more? Oh, and welcome to the Forum. You should pop a post on the Introduce Yourself page and say hi to everyone else.

Sotor, maybe we could arrange an exchange visit to do some lanes in Yorkshire?

Cheers,

[rod at aberdeen]

Ops

BORDC Buchan off road drivers club.


Rod.

[sotor]

Ye110w, thats no problem, just say when and I'll make a plan.

[graham]

I just gotta do this lane. Me too when are we going ;)

[sotor]

The only snag is Graham - it's a hell of a long way for just one lane. I would probobly take a few days holiday to go with it, does anybody know of any other routes that can be done at the same time.

[jaz]

You could always come to NORTRAK! ;)

[Ye110w]

The only snag is Graham - it's a hell of a long way for just one lane. I would probobly take a few days holiday to go with it, does anybody know of any other routes that can be done at the same time.

Problem is that Corrieyairak Pass is the only "green road" in Scotland (although there may be one other, in the very North of Scotland), however, there are a lot of good single track tarmac roads in the more remote areas of Scotland (actually, there are some pretty good ones in the Borders as well, along with some good fords) which make interesting exploring. Attached is a pic of a high hill road near Aviemore, which we tried to get across in March. Had to turn back because of snow! Even in summer these roads are interesting. Wouldn't attempt Corrieyairak in winter though!